FCC Approves Digital FM Sideband Item Early

The FCC unanimously approved an order streamlining the process for letting digital FM stations transmit at different power levels on the upper and lower digital sidebands. “This asymmetric sideband operation will allow stations to operate with different power levels on the upper and lower digital sidebands, as a way to facilitate greater digital FM radio coverage without interfering with adjacent-channel FM stations,” the order said. The item stems from a NAB and Xperi petition (see 2308010060). It doesn't take up related proposals to increase power levels for such stations, citing unresolved interference concerns the aviation industry raised. The item had been set for Thursday’s agenda.